Soul Mate Dream Date Finalists: Vote for the Winner

More than 120 couples entered the Soul Mate Dream Date contest to win a cutsom Memphis date. I've narrowed the field down to five finalists, and now it's your turn to pick the winner.

There were so many good stories, and choosing five was tough. I really enjoyed reading all of your stories about your sweethearts – you guys are seriously lucky.

Thanks to everyone who voted.I'm happy to announce that the winners of the dream date are Catherine and Kevin, who won with 33 percent of the vote. Congrats, you crazy kids!

Here's what's at stake: a custom Memphis dream date, including dinner for two, an activity and a night's stay at the Westin Memphis Beale Street.

Now let's meet the finalists:

Couple no. 1: Jeff and Annie

Jeff and Annie met when they both worked at the Movie and Pizza Co. in Harbortown (she was a server, he was a delivery driver). Years after they worked together, they finally hit it off while singing karaoke at Yosemite Sam's. Jeff wrote the entry, and he loves Annie's caring and encouraging nature (she's a teacher) and her sense of humor.

This is too sweet. Surjit and Nimmi's story was submitted by their son J.R. They met in India in1969, when he was a student and she was a nurse, after Surjit's family told him they had a woman they'd like him to meet. "Having somewhat of an arranged marriage, my parents were able to learn to love each other after the fact of being married and not before," J.R. wrote. "Their marriage is one that has evolved from not only learning about a new person and being in a new country and culture, to a marriage where two people have truly found their best friend, companion and confidant. This past January, my parents celebrated their 44th anniversary."

On their dream date, they want to: Have drinks at a nice cocktail bar, go to dinner and have some quiet time alone together.

Couple no. 3: Catherine and Kevin

Catherine and Kevin's busy work schedules kept them from being able to meet many dateable people. They found each other on Match.com about a year ago, and it's been love ever since. Catherine, who works as a pediatric doctor, describes her music professor partner this way: "As you might not imagine of someone who plays the tuba, Kevin is handsome, well-dressed, ambitious, and suave". She loves his goofy sense of humor, his involvement in his work, and the way that he always makes time for her.

On their dream date, they want to: have dinner at Iris, Flight or Paulettes and then go to a musical at the Orpheum.

Couple no. 4: Danielle and Allyson

Danielle and Allyson met in a college dorm, where they initially bonded over their favorite websites. Danielle admires Allyson's drive, her smile, and her shy streak.

On their dream date, they'd like to: Danielle said it best – " I would like the opportunity to take her somewhere where she (Allyson) feels appreciated. Because we are both in college, it's hard for me to be able to do these things and it would be great if I could do that for her because she works so hard all the time."

Couple no. 5: Cynthia and Nick

Nick and Cynthia met for the first time at the Cooper-Young Regional Beer Festival, but, because it's a drinking festival, Cythnia's memory of their first encounter is a little blurry. They met for the first time again a few weeks after the festival, at the home of a mutual friend. She loves the way that he's always wanted to include her in his plans and that he's committed, respectful, motivated and honest.

On their dream date, they'd like to: have dinner downtown at a local restaurant and then see some live music. They're homebrewers and craft beer enthusiasts, so a good beer list is a must.

You can vote for your favorite couple once per day until 12 p.m. on Feb. 14. The couple with the most votes at that time will win the prize. Happy voting!

Edit: I fixed the glitch in the poll that was allowing multiple votes from different browsers. If you vote more than once now, it'll say "thank you, your vote has already been counted" and will not count the any votes past the first one.

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Author: Holly Whitfield

I write about what’s going on with Memphis music, food, arts, events, sports, people, and culture. Memphians love Elvis and barbeque with a passion that must be seen to be believed, but there is so much more to this place.

I'm so excited to be one the top 5!!! You guys rock and I am so appreciative of this opportunity. Thank you guys so much for the consideration!!! I know that this surprise will be one that she will never forget!

As the son who wrote the story for my parents (couple #2), I would like to extend congrats on from myself and on behalf of my parents to Catherine & Kevin. May your lives be filled with the same amount of happiness and joy that my parents have experienced for the past 44 years and counting. Cheers!!

Wow, what an honor! Thank you Kerry, and thank you everyone who voted! Congrats to the other 4 couples; you all sound like fantastic pairs of lovebirds! May you have a very Happy Valentine's Day with the one you love!

Although I'm sure the winners are as worthy as anyone, I don't like the way they won. It wasn't the couple, but Kevin's aunt did something I think is unfair to the others. She is a member of a very large message board, and asked people to vote for Catherine and Kevin. And people did. Not because they read the stories and made a decision on which one they liked best, but voted for the win because, well, why not? This gives an unfair advantage to one entry over another as there are several thousand members on that forum. It's ballot-stuffing rather than voting for a favorite, and I think it stinks.